Jason Smith is a 47-year-old male who worked as a machine operator at a factory from June 2006 to November 2006 and in 2005. Mr. Smith was also employed in the parts department of a repair shop from 2004 to 2005. Prior to this he was employed as a truck loader for a factory from 2003 to 2004 and as a machine operator from 1995 to 2003.
Mr. Smith sustained an injury to his spine at work in November 2006 while lifting 50 pound sacks of corn starch. In spite of his injury he attempted to work light duty for two weeks. However he was certified off of work on December 12, 2006. His injury was initially treated with physical therapy and occupational therapy. These conservative treatments did not offer any relief.
An MRI in late December 2006 of Mr. Smith’s lumbar spine showed a L4-5 disk bulge with bilateral facet degenerative change, bilateral neural foraminal stenosis, L5-S1 bilateral pars intraarticularis defects, grade 1 congenital sponylolisthesis. An October 2007 CT (Computed Tomography) of his lumbar spine showed lumbar spondylolisthesis, grade 5 annular tear at L4-5, bilateral spondylitis at L5, and a bulging disk at L5-S1.
When the more conservative treatments failed to provide relief, Mr. Smith had an L4-5 laminectomy, an L4-5 and L5-S1 interbody fusion, and posterior instrumentation from L4 to S1 in February 2008. He had to be re-admitted due to complications. His spinal injury caused severe limitations to his mobility.
Jason Smith filed an application for Social Security disability benefits. His initial application was denied, as well as his request for reconsideration. Mr. Smith retained the Law Office of Neil H. Good to represent him. Attorney Good filed a request for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge on Mr. Smith’s behalf.
Attorney Good outlined for the Administrative Law Judge that Mr. Smith’s injury that he sustained in November 2006 rendered him unable to work. He outlined that in spite of the injury, Mr. Smith attempted to work on light duty. However, Mr. Smith could not even sustain light duty employment. Attorney Good opined to the Administrative Law Judge that Mr. Smith’s spinal injuries caused leg radiculopathy with numbness and tingling in his legs and feet.
Attorney Good further outlined to the Administrative Law Judge that his lumbar spine range of motion was 20% limited. This causes severe restrictions in his mobility. His physical disabilities not only made his vocational pursuits unfeasible, but also made basic life functions impracticable.
The Social Security administration awarded Jason Smith Social Security benefits. They ruled that Mr. Smith was not able to perform his past relevant work. His physical disabilities impeded his ability to do all work.
If you are suffering from similar medical conditions or have a disability/impairment that has rendered you unable to work, contact Neil H. Good online or call toll-free #(800) 419-7606 to schedule your free case evaluation to discuss your specific health condition and your SSDI eligibility.
